Have you ever had the experience of walking into a room with a mission, only to step inside and completely forget why you’re there? It just goes to show that, sometimes, our capacity to remember isn’t as great as we think it is.
Most times, this doesn’t create very noticeable consequences in our daily lives. But there is one sneaky consequence of forgetting that can impact every aspect of our lives. Check this out: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”
This means that simply forgetting the good things God has done for us in the past can hurt our future more than anything else! Even still, forgetting comes so natural to us that we have to train our minds to get into the habit of remembering. Here are five simple ways to cultivate the habit of remembering:
1. Make a List
Every day, take just five minutes to make a list of what you are thankful for. This forces you to pause (which is a good thing!) and spend time thinking about what God has done. When you consciously acknowledge God’s blessings, you’re more likely to remember them!
2. Look for Clues
Oftentimes, it’s easy to go about our daily lives and skip over the many blessings we receive each day. Foster an inquisitive spirit, and ask yourself where you would be without God’s provision and care. Just like the lyrics of the famous song:
“Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I’d be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace.”
3. Start a Blessing Jar
Grab a jar and designate it as the “blessing jar.” Write down the ways God shows up to you each day and how you see His blessings in your life — no matter how small. Whenever you start to forget, just pull out one of the blessings and read it for a reminder of how much God cares about you.
4. Talk About It
Have you ever heard the saying that the best way to learn is to teach? In the same way, sharing stories and information with others helps it to stick in your mind, too. Try this: When people ask you, “How are you?” avoid the standard, “I’m good” response. Try instead to think about what God has recently done in your life, and then share it!
5. Spend Time Studying the Bible
The more we read the Bible, the more we deepen our understanding of God. His blessings become more clear and His care more personal. Spend a few minutes each day letting God speak to you through His Word, and you’ll easily see all the blessings around you!
